Wisconsin is feeling the pressure with a proposed data center being built Port Washington. The massive $15 billion (with a B) center would use absurd amounts of water and electricity, prompting very real concerns from locals. This past week, a council meeting was held in the area for locals to speak up and have their voices heard. However, when things got a little intense and opinions started flying around the room, the police interfered. What resulted was several arrests by aggressive police.
Our Wisconsin Rev posted a video on TikTok of the arrest. During the open forum, a few individuals voiced their opinions about the upcoming proposed data center. As this happened, officers approached one woman who was particularly vocal against the data center (but was otherwise compliant). Now sitting quietly, they continue to harass her. You can hear locals saying, “This is wrong” and “This is abuse of power” as police then put their hands on her.
As the woman continues sitting and saying, “Let me go,” members of the Port Washington Police Department force her out of the chair. When the struggle leads to the ground, the police resort to lifting her by her legs. Audience members try to fight the police off the woman, but it doesn’t work. In the end, three officers pull her away and out of the meeting.
The entire time, she’s trying to fight back and get back onto her feet even though they don’t allow it. They eventually handcuff her as bystanders ask, “Why are you doing this to her?” but neither her nor the audience get an answer. She wasn’t the only one, either. Two others were allegedly arrested and ticketed, while the audience was given a warning by on-scene officers.
“And the woman steps in, all the men just standing around,” one commenter said.
“In moments like this I wish the room would make a stance against officers and not just record the brutality. Block all exits and demand them release the person. We must now allow authoritarians to have unlimited power silencing and eliminating those who challenge their cruel and corrupt policies and actions,” another passionately argued.
The fact that multiple arrests were made, and the scuffle with the crowd, I’d argue, showed that solidarity. It’s unclear what their fates are, but hopefully they’re out before Christmas.
